A new bilingual shared library system is being rolled out across universities in Wales to revolutionise students’ access to learning materials.

Wrexham Glyndŵr University launched the new system on Friday (September 9), implementing the Ex Libris Alma and Primo cloud-host process and is already reaping the benefits.

The new system – along with a single sign-on facility – will improve and broaden access to a vast range of books and electronic resources essential for staff and students in a 21st century university.

Paul Jeorrett, the university librarian, said: “Students returning in the coming weeks will really notice the difference.

“The staff are really happy with these latest developments and say the system is much clearer and easier to use.”

The nine universities of Wales, together with the NHS libraries in Wales and the National Library of Wales, now share the same library management system and discovery interface.

He added: “We have always worked strongly in partnership with other universities and organisations, but this is the biggest project we have ever done.

“This innovative system will make a huge difference to our students.

“This is just the start of many collaborative opportunities with other universities in Wales.

“This is a moment in history for Glyndŵr.”

This provides a platform for building deeper and wider collaboration and for further work in opening up and sharing content.

At the launch of the new system Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s VC, Dr Maria Hinfelaar, said: “It is a very important step in making our systems and services for our students, smooth, seamless and connected.

“I like to see this is a collaboration between all the Welsh universities and so must congratulate all the team behind this and look forward to seeing it in action.”

Student Union President Emily Karim, who is also studying at the university, has used the system already and gave a glowing review at the launch.

She said: “It’s very sleek and smooth, it’s extremely useful and it will be a great advantage to the students.”

Sue Hodges, chair of the Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum (WHELF), said years of hard work led to this “remarkable achievement”.

“This is a remarkable achievement which demonstrates the trust, commitment, vision and strength of collaboration within WHELF,” she said.

“I would like to thank all of the WHELF institutions and Ex-Libris for their fantastic efforts in delivering the implementation and roll-out of the system on time and to extremely challenging deadlines.”

Students will benefit immensely from this type of next generation LMS which provides easier access to all resources for teaching, learning and research.